Evaluation

This is my evaluation powerpoint which i converted into a video using www.slideshare.net, i then used the embedding code to insert the video onto my blog for viewing.

View more presentations from Adi07.

Audience Feedback

After we had completed our task, we asked our friends to watch and analyse our film and tell us their opinions on the film. Dan Connell and Will Chalcraft were the pair being filmed and they told us what they particularly liked about it and what we could improve on. By acquiring audience feedback it enabled us to see the film from a different point of view and note down things to improve next time.

Main Task Problem

Main Task Alteration



When organising our second shooting of our film, there was a problem with actors being able to make the shooting day. William Chalcraft (pictured below) was busy on the decided day of shooting and this caused some disruption and delay in filming, we in the end i decided to take over the role as the walker alongside Adrian. We had to alter the scenes and re shoot a fresh scene with Adrian and I walking down the tracks. Once we had finalised this scene, we could continue how we left off. Due to this modification, some time was lost planning, however we recovered well to finish our main task off strongly.

Film Rating

After viewing http://www.bbfc.co.uk/, I concluded that my film should be rated 15. The website informed me about the specifications for their rating procedure and this information helped me label my final piece with a rating. I chose 15 certificate because of the high levels of violence the film possesses. It also contains a mentally ill character acting in an aggressive and frightening manner, which isn't suitable for the ages of 15 and below. 

Film Rating:

                                                              
                                                           Main Task

This is my finished plan of our main task ideas, it included the charcaters the location, the plot and the equipment. It was created to help my group to be organised and run through what we ware going to do and how were going to do it.

Location:

We decided to locate our filming at a farm yard in Cranliegh, which belonged to group member Alex Stanley's family. The location looked execllent for our idea and fitted the plot and location appropriately. It concluded of a dark muddy roadway towards a deserted looking barn surrounded by thriller looking

woodlands.

                                                 

This is a medium shot of our location minus the road way leading up to it. The woodland surrounding the location will provide us with a thriller feel to the film. The lack of openness of the location gives the secluded, desolate feel which we were looking for.





This was the barn we were using for our main task, it fitted the specification for an eerie looking barn which could be involved with our main task plot. The busy surroundings provided the barn with a isolated feel.





This was the gloomy looking roadway up to the main area and this would be where the clip begins because we can set the scene with establishing, long, panning and two shots to engage the audience into the environment and where the scene is taking place.




This is also the area around the location, the ambiguous lake added to the scenic surroundings, providing a thriller looking location.






The inside of the cabin matched the outside environment it was located in, the old fashioned furniture and atmosphere provided the perfect location, meeting to our specification points to shoot our main task.







Equipment:
                                              Tri-Pod




We used a standard sony tri-pod for shooting out main task. We learned to use this equipment in class, as we practised using the tri pods and learnt the effects of using them and why they were used.

This was taken during our main task filming and this was used for a medium shot of two people walking towards the camera. We decided to use what we had learnt and use a tri-pod for this shot. Because we didn't want the camera to be shaky because it would look like we were purposely trying to make it look like someone was watching them, but this was the beginning few scenes so we wanted a stable camera to establish the plot first.




                                                         
                                                                      iMovie

Which editing programme did we choose?


iMovie came pre-installed on our school laptops and we decided to use this programme to edit our media. We found iMovie was the best editing programme to chose over Microsoft Movie Maker, Avid FreeDV and Wax.                                          

To edit our main task we used the Apple Mac application called iMovie. We were taught the processes of editing and how to edit the clips we wanted. iMovie was very effective when editing our clips and very easy to use which was important. We used iMovie to merge the selected clips together, add specific non-digetic sounds and add any effects.

Alex and Nick working on a Apple Mac using iMovie.



This screenshot was taken to show how we selected pieces of
video to put into our final task film. All we had to for this was
to select the clip and drag it up into the top left handside
wherever we wanted the section to appear.





This screenshot shows how we editied the sound in our film.
We searched 'Drone' and found 3 sounds corresponding with
that sound. We found the most fitting in relation to the video and dragged
 it into the space where we wanted it. This sound was used in
sections where tension was rising to contribute to
that effect on the audience.



This screenshot shows how we edited the duration of the
sound. Where the red line appears on the top left hand
side there is a function where you can drag the green
bar as far as you need, extending or cutting the duration
of the sound.

This screenshot shows the use of placing sound from parts
into another part. We found the sound was better on
Take 1 rather than Take 2, however Take 2 was more
smoothly filmed. So we used Take 2's video and the
purple box highlighted shows where we inserted the sound
from Take 1 to leave us with a better looking section.

Sony Handycam DCR-SR68E

                                                                














To film our main task we used a Sony Handycam, supplied by our school. The Handycam provided us  with a clear HD image and an easy way to shoot the different sections of our main task. Also the flexibility of movement helped us shoot sections of film that suited a hand-held video camera. We learnt how to use the camera during lessons and this enabled us to experiment with the camera and use in specific situations to judge how to film and use to Handycam.


Actors




Nick Stevens
Nick, Media student, plays the role of the man running
away from the psycho.

Will Chalcraft
Will, plays the role of the walker along with Adrian.

Adrian Swart
Adrian, Media student, plays the role of the walker along with will.

Alex Stanley
Alex, Media student, plays the role of the psycho. 

This is Will, Dan and Adrian watch out film so far
and give us feedback on what to improve and what
they like.

This is our Media group, Adrian, Alex, Adam, Nick, Will.

Main Task Development


Camera Shots 

After we completed out Preliminary task, we had to develop new camera skills and different ways to produce our film after removing the errors we made in our preliminary. We looked back over our preliminary intensively and notified the areas which had been completed well and the areas we would need to improve on. We found that most camera shots lacked any depth or realism because we used a tri-pod in all of our shots.
In lesson time we ran through some practise scenes holding tri-pod the camera sat on instead of placing it down and filming. We found when filming like this, the effect of the camera not being stationary and
still brought the shots to life and brightened up the camera shots.




Editing

After analysing the editing from our preliminary task we decided there were many clips which were either boring shots or shots which didn't have camera movement. We had to develop a skill to edit any still looking shots and make them into exciting shot which could build tension and anticipation in certain scenes in our film. We decided to dedicate some time to learn the 'Ken Burns' effect. This effect would brighten up our boring camera shots by gradually panning in or out of shots we specified. The effect allowed us also to crop any objects or characters we didn't want in the clip offering some margin for error, otherwise we would have to re-film the clip. We tested Ken Burns on practise clips to make sure we could use the effect before we started to film our main task.

Preliminary Task Out-takes:


Brief:
After filming all of our short video there were many clips which didn't need to be in the final cut, some of these clips were placed in out-takes and made into a short video. 


Construction:
First of all, we chose from the clips that were taken out of the final and placed them in the 'Outtakes' section. I then made a short introduction title page and merged together the sections of video, some with transitions. The transition i used was 'Fade To Black' after each different location of outtakes so the flow of the outtakes wasn't too disrupted. 

Preliminary Task


Brief:
We were informed to conduct a 1 minute film which included the following things:

• someone walking down a corridor
• entering a room
• crossing the room 
• engaging in a conversation

We were also told to include following camera rules:

• Shot Reverse Shot
• 180° Rule

Construction:
The making of our short film didn't have many problems to encounter apart from the busy warehouse environment sometimes causing filming disruptions. For example dogs started barking during one shoot and a worker started using heavy machinery during shoot which we edited out into our 'Preliminary Out-Takes' video. Apart from that, the filming ran smoothly as we took into account possible errors that may go wrong, eg. different timings of day causing inaccurate filming sequence. 


To start the film we edited in non-diegetic background music to cause suspense and tension as the character walked down the desolate alley way. When the character pulls out a metal tool and lifts it to hit the character, the screen suddenly turns black. Then a blurry image of Nick sprinting out of the warehouse suggested Adrian was drifting in to unconsciousness. 


The last scene shows Nick thinking he has got away until he realises there is a car behind him, we edited the car's moving speed to make the chase more dramatic.

Preliminary Task

When choosing a location for our preliminary task we wanted a mysterious, long alleyway with a warehouse situated towards the end. This alleyway we wanted to use was perfect and the warehouse fitted our specifications.
This was the view that we wanted the first scene to start with. It straight away gives a high angle shot of the surroundings and familiarises audience with appearance of the alleyway and warehouse . When the character is walking down the alleyway into the warehouse this shot also looks like he is being watched from above adding suspense.


The warehouse itself was very dark and eerie which fitted the story line of our preliminary film and the old bricks and scenery made it very mysterious. The warehouse hadn't been very well looked after and suited a drug deal atmosphere.

The doorway would have to be used for part of our film as the camera will show a character running from the doors out into the alleyway and the look from outside of the rust old warehouse matched the appearance of it inside. So the surroundings of the warehouse were suited to plot as well.


The shattered glass window on the side of the warehouse suggested that the alley way was dangerous and abandoned which fitted perfectly with the rest of the warehouse and the alleyway its self.

Premliminary Ideas Page

Before filming my premliminary i completed an 'Premlinary Ideas Page' in which covered the specifications for where the film was going to be set and the plot involved. On the sheet i covered: What i needed to include, Location specification and the plot and what was going to happen in the film,. By compleeting this take i gathered information on my Premliminary task and shaped the film so i could start working on it. It provided a base for the film to expand and start with. I could also predict any problems that could arise with the project; such as location purposes and take necessary action.

Sound

Sound is used in Media when creating effects and helping get the message across to the audience. Sound is very important in portraying images and add to the emotion in the scene. Eg. Fast paced background music during a thriller scene to increase tension felt by reader.

Diegetic:

Sound that other characters would be able to hear. A song on a radio, for instance, as a character drives down the highway, would be a diegetic sound.

Non-Diegtic:

Any voice, musical passage or sound effect that comes from outside the world of the movies; like background music, for instance. If the characters can't hear the sound, it's non-diegetic.

Ambient:

Sounds natural to any film scene's environment.

Synchronous:Audio matched to images. When the mouth moves, the words come out in sync.

Sound Effects:
Special effects using sound to suggest a story element such as background, time, place, character, etc. Also used to heighten and intensify action or evoke an emotional response.
Music:
An artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner.

Selective Sound:
The removal of some sounds and the retention of others to make significant sounds more recognizable, or for dramatic effect: to create atmosphere, meaning and emotional nuance.

Sound Bridges:
The use of sound to help transistions between the sequences pass more fluid.

Match On Action

Match On Action


Match on action is where a cut in film editing between two different objects, spaces or compostitions in which an object in the two shots link together and match so the film scene flows and doesnt look out of place. This helps to establish a strong continuity of action and linking the two shots metaphorically.






This video is an example of match on action and shows the women throwing the board game across the table. To begin with the camera shows the two girls sitting at the table but when the board is thrown across the table out of sight the camera suddenly switches angle so the camera is focusing on the girl who threw the board. This way you can see the girls angry expressions as soon as she's thrown the board, which makes the audience see how she is reacting.

Shot Reverse Shot

Shot reverse shot is a film technique where one character is shown looking at another character and then the other character is shown looking back at the first character. Since the characters are shown facing in opposite directions, the viewer assumes that they are looking at each other.

The effect of using this technique in any film would be to establish the reactions of the people who were being filmed. By using this technique the film maker is ensuring that the audience sees the conversation in a particular way.

I filmed a short conversation involving two friends to put 'Shot Reverse Shot' into practise. The first shot shows an angle from which the conversation is being recorded to which it then switches around 180 degrees to other side. It then finishes with the original first angle filmed at. This makes the audience understand the reactions of the two characters and makes the conversation flow.

The 180° Degree Rule

The 180° Degree Rule:
The 180° degree rule is a guideline that film makers follow and it states that two characters in the same scene should ALWAYS have the same left/right relationship to one another. If the camera passes over an imaginary line connecting the two actors/actresses then this is called crossing the line. The new shit from the opposite side is called the reverse angle.

                   

This picture shows the imaginary axis between the two subjects and the 180° green arc on which the cameras may be placed. When cutting from the green arc to the red arc, the characters switch places on the screen. 

This video shows the rule in more depth and visually how the rule can be put into place. She describes the rule in an example of a football match, as the camera will never switch sides because this will confuse the viewers as they wont know which way their team are attacking or defending.

 








 

Sub Thriller Genres
Action Thriller
Action Thrillers will feature themes of suspense, conspires, plot which involves fights, chases, mystery and revenge.
Eg.

• North by Northwest (1958)
• Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
• Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
• Die Hard (1988)
• The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

  

  Die Hard

  
  

Political Thriller
Political Thrillers will involve plots around conspires. There will be a hero/heroine that fights for the government who will employ them. The films will contain power and some parts having suspense.
Eg.

• The Hunt for Red October (1990)
• Munich (2005)
• Enemy of the State (1998)
• JFK (1991)
• Shooter (2007)

JFK

Crime Thriller
The Sub Genre of a Crime Thriller is a hybrid of both crime, thrillers and sometimes action. It supplies a plot which is a suspenseful account of a successful or unsuccessful crime. The film will concentrate on the criminals point of view so audience can follow crime and become engaged. They often contain some psychological aspects.
Eg.

• The Departed (2006)
• Reservoir Dogs (1992)
• Memento (2001)
• No Country for Old Men (2007)
• Sin City (2005)

The Departed

Psychological Thriller
The typical plot of this sub genre is the conflict between the two main characters is based on a mental and emotional basis rather than  physical conflict. Usually concluded with a violent resolution as there is some psychological aspects leading up to the end.
Eg.

• The Talented Mr Ripley (1999)
• Fatal Attraction (1987)
• American Psycho (2000)
• The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
• Taxi Driver (1976)

The Talented Mr Rippley

Thriller Genre

What Is A Thriller?


A Thriller genre is of film that will contain main phases of suspense, tension and excitement. Primary Sub genres of thriller are: mystery, crime and psychological thrillers. After the assassination of U.S.A President John F. Kennedy political and paranoid thrillers were introduced and became very popular.
The Thriller genre atmosphere mainly consists of menace, violent, crime and murder. They also focus on including plot twists, cliff hangers and red herrings. The most famous thriller scene is in Psycho, the murder shower scene. The suspense and mystery when the women's shadow appears behind creates the eerie and tense atmosphere which helps the scene be so famous.









The Thriller genre contains common typical characters such as: Criminals, Stalkers, Assassins, Innocent Victims, Terrorists, Police or any character with a dark mysterious past. All these characters are symbolic of thriller films adding to the atmosphere and creating a dark mysterious
 thriller. Common themes involve: Terrorism, Politics, Conspiracy, Pursuit Romantic triangles. These themes are constantly used throughout thrillers to add suspense and a real thriller plot to the film, which helps involve the audience.

Thriller Directors...

    Steven Spielberg

Steven Spielberg

Steven Allan Spielberg was born on December 18th 1947, and is a very famous American film director, producer and screenwriter. His careerer has spanned over 40 years, with Steven making films covering many themes such as science fiction, adventure, war, terrorism and thriller. Up to 2010 the gross total of all of Spielberg's directed films is over $8.5 billion and his wealth totalling $3 billion.

Awards:

• 3 Academy Awards 
• Best Director 1999 (Saving Private Ryan)
• Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award
• Gold Hugo Life Achievement Award
• Legion d'honneur

Films:

• Saving Private Ryan
• Jaws 
• Indiana Jones
• Catch Me If You Can
• Schindlers List

 Short Clip Of Spielberg's Work...

Alfred Hitchcock

Alfred Hitchcock
                                                                         

Born in Leytonstone, London on 13th August 1899, Albert Hitchcock is a famous English film director, and most of his projects were based on suspense or psychological thriller genres. Alfred Hitchcock's film career has expanded over half a century , and his main objective through his films are to maximize fear and instilling it into his audience.

Awards

• Academy For Best Picture 1940
• Two Films Nominated For Best Picture 1940
• 6 Films In AFI's 100 Best American Films 1998
• 4 Films In AFI's 10 Best Mystery Films 2008
• Won AFI Life Achievement Award

Films

• Psycho
• The Birds
• North By Northwest
• Vertigo
• Rear Window

Short Clip Of Hitchcock's Work...

Christopher Nolan

Christopher Nolan

Born in London on 30th July 1970, Christopher Nolan is best known for directing blockbuster thrillers. He began film making when he was 7 with his dads camera in hand, and this followed through and progressed whilst living in Chiago to making short films with future director and producer Roko Belic. 

Awards:

• Best Director (The Prestige) 2006
• Best Director (The Dark Knight) 2008
• Best Screenplay (Memento) 2000
• Best Writing (Batman Begins) 2005

Films:

• Memento
• Batman Begins
• The Dark Knight
• The Prestige
• Inception

A short clip from Nolan's 'The Dark Knight'...